Double acting engine



{shaft I DOUBLE ACTING ENGINE Filed April 21, 1951 2 sheets-sheet 1 V IN Y EN TOR.

Rose-2r 0. You BY ATTORNEYS-.7

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21, 1931 INVENTOR.

Ross/2T D. You/vs WQOO.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,024,263 DOUBLE ACTING ENGINE Robert D. Young, San Francisco, Calif.

Application April 21, 1931, Serial No. 531,798

12 Claims.

additional compound pistons and adjustable firing heads so that a plurality of power impulses can be directed against the crank shaft for each cycle of the engine. It should further be noted that the cylinders may be arranged radially around the crank shaft, in a straight line, in V shape, or opposed.

I also employ novel means for automatically starting the engine without the need of a starting motor.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which is extremely simple in construction consists of few parts, and which is durable and efiicient for the purposes intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which Figure l is a vertical section through the device, portions being shown in elevation;

Figure 2 is a similar sectional view showing the parts in a different position;

4;) Figure 3 is a View at right angles to Figures 1 and 2, showing the parts broken away for clarity;

Figure 4 is a section along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section along the line 5--5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a sectional view through a portion of the device and Figure '7 is a sectional View thru the valve E8.

in carrying out my invention I provide a cylinder i which is removably secured to a crank case 2 and carries a removable head 3. Figure 1 shows a second cylinder I extending from the opposite side of the crank case 2 and since this cylinder is the same as the one shown in section 55 a description of one will sullioe As already stated, as many cylinders as desired may be grouped radially around a crank shaft 4 or disposed in a row and may be odd or even in number.

The cylinder I may be cooled by water or air or other means and in the present form of the 5 device I have shown fins 5 for air cooling the cylinder. In the present construction the hottest part of the cylinder is midway between the ends and therefore the length of the fins is increased at this portion.

Within the cylinder I .I mount a compound piston 6 which has a skirt or sleeve guided by the cylinder I and a head I removably secured to the top of the sleeve. A partition 8 is disposed in the sleeve of the compound piston 6 l5 and is removably held in place by pins 9 or other suitable fastening means that extend into the wall of the piston.

The partition 8 divides the compound piston into two compartments and in each compartment I mount an adjustable firing head. The adjustable firing head I mounted between the head I and the partition 8 is supported by eccentric trunnions II which permit the firing head I0 to be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the cylinder I.

An adjustable firing head I2 is mounted with-' in the compound piston 6 and beneath the partition 8 and is supported by eccentric trunnions I3 which permit the firing head I2 to be adjusted vertically with respect to the cylinder I. It should be noted at this point that the firing heads can swing about the axes of the trunnions II and I3 so as to automatically align themselves with the travel of the compound piston, and the firing heads are also adjustable transversely in the direction of the axes of the trunnions. This gives the firing heads practically a universal movement within the cylinder I, and at the same time permits their adjustment. This adjustment will control the pressure and temperature, resulting in automatic ignition.

The compound piston 6 has slots I4 in its wall and these slots are disposed adjacent to the removable head I for a purpose hereinafter described. An intake pipe I has branches I6 and I1 provided with intake check valves I8 and I9, the branches communicating with intake supply line ports and 2|. Figure 3 shows the top of the cylinder I as having outlet ports 22 communicating with intake ports 23 by means of conduits 24. Figure 2 shows fuel outlet ports 25 disposed opposite to the adjustable firing head II! and communicating with intake ports 26 by means of conduits 21. Thisj completes the charging of the combustion chamber with fuel.

Spark plugs 28 or fuel injectors (not shown) may be provided and are positioned just beneath the bottom of the adjustable firing head I8 and are normally covered by the sleeve of the compound piston 6. Additional spark plugs 29 or fuel injectors (not shown) are disposed degrees around the cylinder I (see Figure 3) from the spark plugs 28. The spark plugs 29 are normally covered by the sleeve of the compound piston 6. Exhaust pipes 30 communicating with exhaust ports 3| in the cylinder I are brought into communication with the interior of that portion of the compound piston 6 which is disposed between the partition 8 and the firing head I2 when the piston is at the top of its stroke and aligns exhaust ports 32 in the sleeve of the compound piston with the exhaust ports 3| (see Figure 1). Exhaust ports 33 (see Figure 3) are disposed above the exhaust ports 3| and register with exhaust ports 34 in the sleeve of the compound piston 6 when the piston is at the bottom of its stroke. This places exhaust pipes 35 (see Figure 3) in communication with-the interior of the compound piston disposed above the partition 8 and below the firing head III.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation of the simple cycle, double acting engine may be readily understood.

It is best to follow the flow of gas from the intake passageway 6 until it is fired and exhausted and then to trace the flow of gas from the intake passageway until it too is fired and exhausted. The gas flows through the pipe I6 into the top of the cylinder I during the down stroke of the compound piston 6 and is drawn into the top of the cylinder past the check valve I8. This gas is of a combustible mixture. The return stroke of the compound piston 6 compresses and vaporizes the fuel into a gas to a predetermined pressure in the top of the cylinder I and the check valve |8 prevents the passage of this gas back into the pipe l6.

When the gas is fully compressed between the heads 3 and 1, ports 36 in the sleeve of the compound piston register with the ports 23, whereupon the compressed gas will pass from the top of the cylinder I into the space between the partition 8 and the adjustable firing head |2 (see Figure 1) and completely scavenges the burnt gases from the previous firing. It should be noted also that the compressing of the gas in the charging compartment B prior to being admitted into the compartment A causes the gas to be compressed in the conduits 24 so that the instant the ports 23 register with the ports 26 the gas will flow into the compartment A under pressure at the moment of registration of the ports. This gas is in a highly volatile form due to the high compression and temperature produced in the charging compartment B.

The compound piston 6 now starts on its down stroke and this moves the ports 36 out of registration with the ports 23. Figure 1 also shows that the ports 32 are moved out of registration with the exhaust ports 3| and therefore the new gas is trapped within the firing chamber A. It should be noted that the new gas when flowing into the firing chamber A completely expells the previously burnt gas out through the registering ports 32 and 3| and that the compound piston starts on its down stroke and closes the ports 3| upward movement of the compound piston 0 before the new gas reaches it and has a chance to escape.

The down stroke of the compound piston B traps the gas in the compartment A and compresses it between the partition 8 and the adjustable firing head I2. When the compound piston reaches the position shown in Figure 2 the gas in the compartment A is entirely compressed and then the spark plugs 29 are uncovered and ignite the gas. If using automatic ignition the adjustable firing head I2 has been previously adjusted so as to cause the gas in the compartment A to automatically fire without the need of spark plugs or fuel injectors because this gas has been raised to a critical temperature .when spontaneous combustion will take place resulting in a more complete burning of the fuel.

The compound piston will now be moved upwardly by the power impulse until the exhaust ports 3| and 32 register (see Figure 1). At this moment the next charge of gas is entering the firing chamber A through the ports 36 as already described, and this forces the exhaust gases out under pressure through the registering exhaust ports 3| and 32. I

I will now describe the passage of the intake gases from the intake branch pipe IT to the exhaust ports 33, (see Figure 3). During the up stroke of the compound piston 6 the head I will move away from the adjustable firing head I0 and will create a partial vacuum within the compressor chamber C. This will suck in fuel past the check valve I9 and into the chamber C. The downward movement of the compound piston 6 will compress the gas within the chamber 0 and the check valve I9 will prevent the flow of this fuel back into the intake pipe II. It should be noted that the fuel passes from the intake port 2| into the interior of the chamber C by means of the slots I4.

The downward stroke of the compound piston 6 compresses the fuel in the chamber C as shown in Figure 2 and this fuel is forced into the conduits 21 and into a chamber D formed between the partition 8 and the under side of the adjustable firing head I!) when the intake ports 26 register with intake ports 31 in the sleeve of the compound piston 6. The new fuel entering the chamber D forces out the burnt fuel under pressure through the exhaust ports 34 in the compound piston which register with the exhaust ports 33 in the cylinder I (see Figure 3). The

traps the fuel within the chamber D and this fuel is compressed between the partition 8 and the adjustable firing head Ill.

The fuel at this moment is a volatile vapor and the spark plugs 28 are uncovered by the ports 31 and the fuel is ignited. The firing stroke follows and the compound piston is forced downwardly until the ports 34 register with the exhaust ports 33 and the burnt fuel will be forced out under pressure through the exhaust pipes 35 by the inflowing. new fuel through the registering ports 26 and 31.

I also provide novel means for starting the englne to operate. In Figure 3 I show a pipe 38 leading from one of the conduits 24 and provided with a check valve 39. The pipe 33 communicates with a storage tank 40. While the engine is operating valves 4| in the conduits 24 may be closed and this will cause part of the gas compressed in the chamber B to flow into the storage tank 40 instead of through the conduits 2d. The check valve 39 prevents the return of the gas into the chamber B. A pressure gauge 42' shows the amount of pressure in the tank 48 and when this reaches a predetermined point a handle 42 may be operated to close the check valve 39 and prevent further flow of compressed gas from the chamber B into the conduit 38. At the same time the valves ii are opened and the engine continues to function in the usual manner.

A pipe 43 leads from the storage tank and is normally closed by means of a valve 44. When I the operator desires to start the engine he first opens valves l8 and it to the atmosphere and then opens the valve 44 and this will admit a combustible mixture under pressure or compressed air to the pipe 43 and then to the branch pipes 45 and :5. Each branch pipe has a check valve 4'! therein for permitting the gas to flow only toward the engine. When the engine stops in the position shown in Figure 3 the ports 35 will register with the opening for the spark plug 29 and also with a port 48 communicating with the pipe as (see Figure 6) The gas or air under pressure will therefore enter the compartment A and will force the compound piston upwardly.

When the piston reaches the top of. its stroke the port 37 will register with the spark plug opening 49 (see Figure l) and with an opening similar to the opening 58 which communicates with the branch pipe 45. Gas or air under pressure will therefore enter the compartment D and will drive the compound piston downwardly. When the engine is once set in operation, the ignition switch not shown may be turned on so that the spark plugs will ignite the charges in the other cylinders, if air is used in the starting cylinders, and when the charges in the other cylinders are compressed they are fired. This will cause explosions to take place in the chambers A and D in the cylinders not used for starting, and the engine will continue to function.

When the engine is once started in this manner the valve 6 3 may be closed and also the valves l8 and i9 closed to the atmosphere. The storage tank 30 is recharged by closing the valves M and openlng the valve 52 until the proper pressure is 'reached in the tank.

In this way a simple means is provided for starting the engine using compressed gas or air which has been temporarily stored during the previous operation of the engme.

To overcome the disadvantage of having the connecting rod 59 on dead center I provide one or more additional clinders l and stagger the connecting rods 58 with respect to each other so that regardless of the position of the parts when the engine comes to a standstill one port of the firing chamber will be in communication with the storage tank so that the engine will instantly start to operate as soon as the valve 44 is opened. It should be understood that branch pipes leading from the pipe as will communicate with the firing chambers on all cylinders at the proper time.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 shows the connecting rod 50 pivotally secured to the compound piston 6 and to the crank shaft 4. Oil grooves 5! may be provided in the outer surface of the compound piston ii. Piston rings may be provided and are shown on the various parts to seal against gas leakage. Oil conduits 52 shown in Figures 1 and 2 lead to the moving parts through the eccentrics II and I3 for cooling the firing head and for lubrication.

The inclined inlet ports 36 and 31 cause the new air or gas to move against both sides of the partition 8 so as to cool the partition. The'partition is being cooled on one side in this manner while the gas is being fired onv the opposite side. It is obvious that the conduits 2t and 27 may be cast as passages in the cylinder wall, thus acting as a cooling system.

In Figure '7, I show one form of check valve I8, and it will be noted that the valve casing has a flap valve 55 designed to permit the fiow of fluid through the pipe from right to left, but to prevent the return fiow. A valve handle 56 carries a valve 51 and a projection 58. The valve 5"! is normally seated against a valve seat 59, and when in this position, the device will act as a standard check valve. When, however, the operator wishes to open the valve l8 to the atmosphere, he manipulates the handle 55, which frees the valve 5'! from the valve seat 59 and causes the projection 58 to hold the flap valve 55 from opening. The removal of the valve 51 from the valve seat 59 uncovers openings 60 that communicate with the atmosphere. The valves [8 and it may be of this I construction if desired.

I claim:

1. A double acting engine comprising a cylinder, a. compound piston mounted therein and forming with the cylinder a compression chamber, an adjustable firing head slidable in the piston and being carried by the cylinder and forming with the piston a second compression chamber, a partition carried by the piston and forming with the firing head a firing chamber, a second ad- 3 justable firing head slidable in the piston and forming with the partition a second firing chamber, fuel inlets for the compression chambers, communications between the first compression chamber and the second firing chamber, and between the second compression chamber and the first firing chamber, exhaust outlets for the firing chambers, said inlets, communications between the chambers and the outlets being opened and closed by the movement of the compound piston. 40

forming with the partition a second firing chamber, fuel inlets for the compression chambers, communications between the first compression chamber and the second firing chamber, and between the second compression chamber and the first firing chamber, exhaust outlets for the firing chambers, said inlets, communications between the chambers and the outlets being opened and closed by the movement of. the compound piston and means for firing the fuel in the firing chambers, said means normally being covered by (is the compound piston, said piston having openings for uncovering the firing means at the proper time.

3. A double acting engine comprising a cylinder, a compound piston mounted therein and hav- C ing slots in its wall, said cylinder having intake ports registering with the cylinder space above the piston and with the space within the compound piston, a firing head carried by the cylinder and being received in the piston, a partition car- 7 ried by the piston and disposed on the side of the firing head opposite to the piston head, a second firing head carriedby the cylinder and being received in the piston on the side of the partition opposite to the first firing head, conduits connect- 7 ing the space between the cylinder and piston heads with the space in the piston between the partition and second firing head, conduits connecting the space between the piston head and first firing head with the space between the first firing head and partition, exhaust ports for the spaces disposed between the firing heads and partition, said piston having ports uncovering the ends of conduits and the exhaust ports at the proper moment.

4. A double acting engine comprising a cylinder, a compound piston mounted therein and having slots in its wall, said cylinder having intake ports registering with the cylinder space above the piston and with the space within the compound piston, a firing head carried by the cylinder and being received in the piston, a partition carried by the piston and disposed on the side of the firing head opposite to the piston head, a second firing head carried by the cylinder and being received the piston on the side of the partition opposite to the first firing head, conduits connecting the space between the cylinder and piston heads with the space in the piston between the partition and second firing head, conduits connecting the space between the piston head and first firing head with the space between the first firing head and partition, exhaust ports for the spaces disposed between the firing heads and partition, said piston having ports uncovering the ends of conduits and the exhaust ports at the proper moment, said firing heads being adjustable.

5. In an engine, a cylinder, a fiuid compressor mounted within the cylinder and including a compound piston having slots in its wall, a com pressor head disposed within the piston and secured to the cylinder, an intake pipe communicating with the space between the piston head and compressor head by means of the slots, and conduits for carrying away the compressed fluid and communicating with the same space by means of the slots.

6. A self starter for a simple cycle, double acting engine comprising a cylinder, a compound piston mounted therein and having a partition, a crank shaft, connections between the piston and the crank shaft, a firing head disposed on each side of the partition and defining two firing chambers, inlet pipes and exhaust pipes for the two chambers, said piston having ports placing the pipes in communication with the chambers at the proper time, means for feeding a compressed and combustible mixture to the inlet pipes where it will be led alternately to the two firing chambers and Will expand in the chambers and reciprocate the piston by means of alternately moving the partition in opposite directions, and firing means uncovered by the same ports for burning the mixture.

7. A self starter for a double acting engine comprising a cylinder, a compound piston mounted therein and hawing a partition, a firing head disposed on each side of the partition and defining two firing chambers, inlet pipes and exhaust pipes for the two chambers, said piston having ports placing the pipes in communication with the chambers at the proper time, means for feeding a combustible mixture to the inlet pipes where it will expand and reciprocate the piston by means of alternately moving the partition in opposite directions, and firing means uncovered by the same ports for burning the mixture, a fluid compressor associated with the firing chambers for normally forcing fuel under pressure into the firing chambers, and means for opening the outlets of the compressor to the atmosphere during the starting operation.

8. A self starter for a double acting engine comprising a cylinder, a compound piston mounted therein and having a partition, a firing head disposed on each side of the partition and de- 1 fining two firing chambers, inlet pipes and exhaust pipes for the two chambers, said piston having ports placing the pipes in communication with the chambers at the proper time, means forfeeding a combustible mixture to the inlet pipes 1 where it will expand and reciprocate the piston by means of alternately moving the partition in opposite directions, and firing means uncovered by the same ports for burning the mixture, a fluid compressor associated with the firing cham- 2 bers for normally forcing fuel under pressure into the firing chambers, and means for opening the outlets of the compressor to the atmosphere during the starting operation, a storage tank for the mixture feeding means, and connections between 2 the tank and the compressor for filling the tank with a combustible mixture to the desired pressure during the operation of the engine.

9. An engine comprising a cylinder having a compound piston mounted therein, a firing head 3 adjustably secured to the cylinder and cooperating with the compound piston for forming a combustion chamber, said compound piston oooperating with the cylinder for forming a compression chamber, communications between the 3 compression and the combustion chambers, said compound piston having ports controlling the flow of fiuid between the chambers, said chambers constituting a two stage compressor for the fluid before the firing of the fiuid, and a piston rod 4 connected to the compound piston and outside of the two chambers.

10. In an engine, a cylinder, a compound piston mounted therein, a partition secured to and disposed within the piston, firing heads secured 4 to the cylinder and being slidably disposed in the piston and on either side of the partition for forming two firing chambers, means for delivering fuel to the chambers, said piston having ports for uncovering the fuel-delivering means, the 5 ports being inclined for directing the incoming fuel on opposite sides of the partition for cooling it.

11. A self starter for a double-acting engine comprising a cylinder, a piston mounted in the 5 cylinder, means for admitting an expansible'fuel into the cylinder, alternately at opposite ends of the cylinder for reciprocating the piston, means for burning the fuel, a fuel compressor associated with the cylinder for normally forcing fuel under 6 pressure into the firing chambers, and means for opening the outlets of the compressor to the atmosphere during the starting operation.

12. In a double-acting engine, a cylinder, a compound piston mounted therein, a partition 6 carried by the piston, a firing head disposed on both sides of the partition and being slidably received in the piston, and means for moving each firing head in the direction of the length of the cylinder and for holding it in adjusted position.

ROBERT D. YOUNG. 

